The Senate Committee on Labour and Social Welfare has sharply criticized the Ministry of Education and the National Treasury over delayed pension payments to retirees of the Technical University of Kenya (TUK), as outstanding liabilities continue to climb into billions of shillings.
During a session held at Bunge Tower on Thursday, the committee, chaired by Julius Murgor, heard that despite significant progress in verifying pension records, retirees have yet to receive payments due to failure by the government to release promised funds.
The liquidator overseeing the pension scheme, Long’et Terer, told senators that most member records had been cleaned up and validated, with a final report expected by the end of the month.
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However, lawmakers expressed frustration that administrative progress had not translated into financial relief for pensioners.
TUK Vice-Chancellor Benedict Mutua painted a grim picture of the human toll of the delay, describing elderly retirees frequently lining up outside his office seeking answers.
“We are looking to this honourable committee to help the university get the funds,” Mutua said.
“Some of the retirees have suffered medical emergencies. Their blood pressure rises dangerously as they queue daily following up on their pensions.”
He told the committee that the university had met its obligations and was awaiting the government to fulfill commitments made under a return-to-work agreement signed on March 17, 2025.
The deal required the state to inject an initial Sh500 million into the pension scheme—funds that have yet to be disbursed.
Appearing on behalf of staff and petitioners, Fred Sawenja, Secretary of the UASU-TUK Chapter, accused the Ministry of Education of long-standing underfunding and inaction despite awareness of the crisis.
“The liability stood at Sh4.2 billion when the agreement was signed. It rose to Sh6.2 billion, and it is likely even higher now,” Sawenja said.
“The Ministry pledged Sh1.2 billion in the 2025/26 financial year, with Sh500 million earmarked for pensions, but they gave us zero.”
He further claimed that an additional promise of Sh1 billion in the current financial year had also not materialised, leaving retirees and their dependants in financial distress and current staff without a functioning pension scheme.
Representing the Treasury, Michael Kagika, Secretary for Pensions, said budgetary allocations were determined through sector working groups, an explanation that failed to satisfy senators pressing for clear timelines.
Stewart Madzayo demanded immediate answers, asking: “When does the Treasury intend to pay this money? Are they waiting for them to die?”
Joe Nyutu raised concerns over disparities in university funding, noting that while TUK had received no allocation, Moi University had reportedly secured Sh6 billion despite requesting Sh3.8 billion.
Kagika told the committee he would escalate the concerns to the Treasury Cabinet Secretary and provide a comprehensive response regarding the delayed Sh500 million.
The committee adjourned the session with a resolution to summon both the Education and Treasury Cabinet Secretaries to explain the continued delays.
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